Our Winter 2015 newsletter is now available!

The Winter 2015 edition of Odyssey House News is now available! Read about our expanded peer mentoring programs, recovery month celebrations, new board members, and more. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments or on our Facebook wall. If you'd like to receive a copy in the mail, please email your contact information to info(at)odysseyhouseinc.org.

Three Odyssey House employees honored by New York State

We are pleased to announce that OASAS has selected THREE of our staff members as winners of New York's Annual Addictions Professionals'Awards. Congratulations to Justin Mitchell, Annise Weaver and Tracy Moore on their awards! In recognition of all the honorees, Governor Cuomo issued a proclamation designating September 20, 2014 as "Addictions Professionals Day."

Justin Mitchell (left) and Annise Weaver (right) with
Odyssey Foundation Board Chairman George Rosenfeld.

• Justin Mitchell – Licensed Mental Health Counselor of the Year Mr. Mitchell, Vice President, Director of Adult Residential Programs, is responsible for the oversight of treatment services targeting vulnerable populations such as women with young children and the elderly, assisting his clients with their recovery while serving as an advocate for each individual’s dignity and personal integrity. Since becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in 2006, Mr. Mitchell has provided direct care services in such diverse settings as opioid treatment programs, intensive residential rehabilitation, community mental health centers, community-based cognitive rehabilitation counseling and supportive housing for individuals with substance use disorders and serious mental illness. 

• Annise Weaver – Certified Rehabilitation Counselor of the Year As the Director of Vocational & Educational Services, Ms. Weaver provided oversight for the care of approximately 1,100 clients in residential, outpatient and housing programs annually. Under her leadership, 284 clients obtained employment, 243 were enrolled in vocational skills trainings, and 66 clients obtained a GED in 2012-14. She has developed sub-specialties within her field of practice, supervising the rehabilitation counseling of special populations such as adults over fifty-five years of age, single mothers with young children, and transition-aged youth. Ms. Weaver's accomplishments led to her promotion to Senior Director of Admissions and Residential Support Services in April 2014. 

• Tracy Moore – CASAC Trainee of the Year In his role as a Substance Abuse Counselor, Mr. Moore has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to providing high quality, holistic treatment services to the individuals he serves through both group and individual counseling.  He has a unique ability to establish a healthy therapeutic alliance with his clients and a professional sensitivity to their needs, including those with co-occurring mental health disorders, histories of traumatic experience and criminal justice involvement. Mr. Moore has worked hard to strengthen his clinical acumen by seeking out and achieving certification in the following evidence based practices: Motivational Interviewing, Thinking for Change, Seven Challenges, and Medication Assisted Treatment modalities.

Each September in observance of National Recovery Month, OASAS acknowledges addictions professionals across New York State who provide exceptional services ranging from chemical dependence prevention, treatment and recovery, to problem gambling services for persons and communities in need. This marks the fifth consecutive year an Odyssey House employee has received an Addictions Professional Award, for a total of nine awards.

The Fall 2013 Newsletter is now available!

The Fall 2013 edition of Odyssey House News is now available! Read about our recovery month events, how our corporate partners are supporting recovery, and more. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments or on our Facebook wall. If you'd like to receive a copy in the mail, please email your contact information to info(at)odysseyhouseinc.org.

Odyssey House employee named CASAC of the Year

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) has named Milton Slaughter, coordinator of residential admissions at Odyssey House, CASAC (Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor) of the Year.

As coordinator of residential admissions, Mr. Slaughter conducts intake interviews, new patient orientations and comprehensive psychosocial assessments. He often engages in intensive case management activities, gathering information from and following up with a range of collateral service providers both during and after intake, and assures that patients’ needs are addressed through well-coordinated, multi-disciplinary interventions.

Mr. Slaughter first entered Odyssey House as a client in 1992. He took full advantage of his time at the Leadership Center, earning his GED and participating in vocational training programs. Two years after completing treatment, Mr. Slaughter returned as an employee, working his way up from a food service worker at the Harbor and counselor at the Leadership Center to progressively responsible positions in the Admissions department. In 2005, he received his CASAC.

Each September in observance of National Recovery Month, OASAS acknowledges addictions professionals across New York State who provide exceptional services ranging from chemical dependence prevention, treatment and recovery, to problem gambling services for persons and communities in need. This marks the fourth consecutive, and sixth overall, Addictions Professional Award given to an Odyssey House employee.

Odyssey House social worker honored by New York State

Cailin McGreevy (left) with OASAS Commissioner Gonzalez-Sanchez and Odyssey House President Dr. Peter Provet.

New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance AbuseServices (OASAS) named Odyssey House clinical supervisor Cailin McGreevy “Social Worker of the Year” at the 2012 Addictions Professionals’ Awards. The awards are given to individuals whose work reflects the highest level of professionalism and dedication, and whose “compassion and commitment to the addiction field offers hope for long-term recovery to countless individuals and their families.”

Accepting the award, Ms. McGreevy said, “I am both pleased and honored to have been named “Social Worker of the Year. I want to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at Odyssey House for creating a positive and supportive work environment.  I truly feel that this award is an acknowledgment of Odyssey House’s comprehensive programs and their dedication to providing cutting-edge treatment services.”

Ms. McGreevy has been working with pregnant and postpartum women in the Healthy Mothers Healthy Families program since joining Odyssey House in 2010. She has more than 15 years of experience as a social worker, working primarily with homeless youth and single mothers with substance use disorders.

Run for Your Life celebrates recovery for sixth consecutive year

More than 1,000 people came out to Icahn Stadium on September 24th to show their support for men and women in treatment for substance use and mental health disorders at the 6th Annual Run for Your Life 5K Run & Recovery Walk. WPIX reporter Kirstin Cole emceed the event, which also featured a performance by the MABON Voices, children’s races and activities, and the presentation of the CASAC of the Year Award to Andre Matthews, recreational services coordinator at Odyssey House.



NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, though unable to attend, sent a message of support:“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of professionals across fields, more of our residents are getting tested, getting treated, and getting their lives back on track. That is why we are proud to applaud Odyssey House, which, for more than 40 years, has provided invaluable support and services to the New Yorkers who need them most.”

Visit our website to see more photos from Run for Your Life, and to get a glimpse of what the day was like, check out this video on our YouTube Channel.

Participants included clients from other NYC-based treatment agencies, friends and family of people in recovery, as well as representatives from the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and our corporate partners. Thank you to everyone for making Run for Your Life such a successful event!

And the CASAC-T of the Year award goes to...

Jeremy King, clinical information system coordinator at Odyssey House! Jeremy was one of five recipients of New York's annual addiction professionals awards. The awards are given by the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) to individuals "whose work prevents substance abuse and offers the hope of recovery to the 2.5 million New Yorkers suffering from drug, alcohol or gambling addiction."

OASAS Commissioner Karen Carpenter-Palumbo presented the award to Jeremy at the Run for Your Life event on September 25th, praising him for his contributions to quality improvement projects and tobacc0-free initiatives, and for becoming a role model and mentor to clients training for the NYC marathon in the Run for Your Life program.

Accepting the award, Jeremy said, "I would like to thank Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo for the recognition today as well as the leadership of Odyssey House - including Dr. Peter Provet, John Tavolacci and Jeff Savoy - for their innovative spirit and progressive mindset. Most importantly, though, I want to thank the Odyssey House clients for providing me with the inspiration for my continued success in this field. It is your collective determination, strength, and commitment to the recovery process that makes my work meaningful and enjoyable."

Please join us in congratulating Jeremy on his distinguished award!